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01/13/2015 by Brian Eagen Click to Tweet

National Park Permits and Reservations

Booking your National Park camping reservations and other permits can be a very challenging endeavour. As a general rule, group campsite are available 12 months prior to your arrival date on a rolling basis, and individual sites are available 6 months prior. However there are numerous exceptions to this, and with some campgrounds filling up within minutes (or seconds!) of becoming available, it's important to know when things become available.

Special permits, such as the Half Dome Cables, Grand Canyon rafting, and Wonderland trail, are often run as a lottery. You have a specific window to get your request in, and if you miss that time it can be very challenging (or impossible) to secure your spot.

This guide is intended to help you navigate the muck of reservations for our National Parks. Parks are categorized by state. Within each park you will find information for any necessary reservations and permits found there. If nothing is listed, that means it is first-come first served.

There is a lot of information to keep updated here. If you happen to come across something that is incorrect or out of date please leave a comment or send me a tweet to help me keep everything correct.

Happy reserving!

Alaska

Denali National Park

Road Lottery:

A four-day event the second Friday-Monday after Labor Day. Winners receive a day-long permit to drive the Denali Park Road as far as they want/can. Up to the 85 mile Wonder lake.

Lottery Window:

May 1st - May 31st

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Gates of the Arctic National Park

No Reservations

Glacier Bay National Park

No Reservations

Katmai National Park

Camping:

Brooks Camp Campground provides fantastic wildlife viewing. Fure's Cabin is a one-room house used primarily by kayakers.

All Katmai reservations should be available starting January 5th of the same calendar year.

Reservations can also be made via phone at (907) 246-3305.

Upcoming Booking Window:

June 1st - Sept 17th
available January 5th

-For Brooks Camp reservations click here.

-For more information on Fure's Cabin click here.

-For more information on Brooks Camp Campground click here.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Camping:

Two rustic cabins are available for reservation during the summer months. A large number of cancellations happen in April and May, so make sure to call back if you don't get your dates right way.

You can only reserve the cabins for three nights because of high demand.

Current Booking Window:

Memorial to Labor Day, 2015

For Reservations call the Alaska Public Lands Info Center at (907) 644-3661.

-For more information about the Aialik Cabin click here.

-For more information on the Holgate Cabin click here.

Kobuk Valley National Park

No Reservations

Lake Clark National Park

No Reservations

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Cabins:

Five cabins are available for reservation 6 months prior to you arrival, on a rolling basis.

The cabins are Esker Stream, Viking Lodge, Caribou Creek, Nugget Creek, and Glacier Creek. Click the previous links for more information on each cabin.

Call (907) 784-3295 for Esker Stream Cabin, or (907) 822-7253 for the other cabins. You can also send an email.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Mather Campground is located on the south rim. North Rim Campground is on the north side, and only open May through October.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Mather Campground reservations click here.

-For North Rim Campground reservations click here.

Backcountry Permits:

These permits are available on the 1st of the month - 4 months prior to your arrival date. So if you wanted a June trip, you should have the permit in by Februrary first.

Permit applications must be submitted in written form and either mailed or faxed.

All permits submitted on the first day will be organized in lottery order. Anything received after the 1st will be process in order received.

Something has gone wrong!

-For more information click here.

2 - 5 Day Non-Commercial River Trips:

These river permits are available 12 months prior to your launch date, on a rolling basis, and are first-come first-served.

Submit a written application to reserve your spot.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For more information click here.

12 - 25 Day Non-Commercial River Trips:

These permits can be very challenging to get, so be prepared. The main lottery is offered throughout February.

In order to submit to the lottery you must first set-up a profile, then you can create our application and pay the lottery fee (which is $25).

If you don't receive a permit through the main lottery you can watch for occasional mini-lotteries here. These spots open up due to cancellations and left-over permits.

Upcoming Booking Window:

February 1st

-For more information click here.

Saguaro National Park

No Reservations

Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park

No Reservations

California

Channel Islands National Park

Camping:

There are five reservable campgrounds on the various Channel Islands: Anacapa, Scorpion Ranch, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. Campsites are available 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Anacapa Campground reservations click here.

-For Scorpion Ranch reservations click Here.

-For Santa Rosa Campground reservations click here.

-For San Miguel Campground reservations click here.

-For Santa Barbara Campground reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Boat Transportation:

Transportation to the islands is provided by Island Packers. You can reserve a spot on the boat up to one year in advance, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Island Packers reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Death Valley National Park

Camping:

Reservations are accepted 6 months prior to your arrival for Furnace Creek Campground on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Scotty's Castle Tours:

Build in the 1920's, the Death Valley Ranch, commonly known as Scotty's Castle is a historic and mysterious house. Three tours are available on a seemingly random schedule: House Tour, Lower Vine Ranch Hike, and Underground Tour.

Reservations can be made via Recreation.gov or over the phone at (877) 444-6777.

Current Booking Window:

We're Not Sure!

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Joshua Tree National Park

Camping:

Indian Cove and Black Rock campgrounds are available for individual sites 6 months prior on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Indian Cove reservations click here.

-For Black Rock reservations click here.

Group Camping:

Three group campgrounds, Cottonwood, Sheep Pass, and Indian Cove, are available for reservations 12 months prior on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Indian Cove reservations click here.

-For Sheep Pass reservations click here.

-For Cottonwood reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Keys Ranch Tours:

A National Historic Register Site. Tours last 90 minutes and give you the chance to visit an old homestead.

Reserve by calling (760) 367-5522 between 8am and 4:30pm.

-For more information click here.

Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks

Camping:

Potwisha, Buckeye, Dorst Creek, and Lodgepole Campgrounds are available for individual sites 6 months prior to your arrival on a rolling basis.

For more information specific to each campground, click the links above.

Potwisha Campground has year-round reservations.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Potwisha reservations click here.

-For Buckeye reservations click here.

-For Dorst Creek reservations click here.

-For Lodgepole reservations click here.

Group Camping:

Sunset and Canyon View Group Camps are available 12 months prior to your arrival on a rolling basis.

For more information specific to each campground, click the links above.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Sunset reservations click Here.

-For Canyon View reservations click here.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Group Camping:

Group sites are available 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis, at Butte Lake, Lost Creek, Manzanita Lake, and Juniper Lake Group Camps.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Butte Lake group camp reservations click here.

-For Lost Creek group camp reservations click here.

-For Manzanita Lake group camp reservations click here.

-For Juniper Lake group camp reservations click here.

Wilderness Permits:

These permits are fairly straight-forward with no obvious limitation on timeframe. Email, fax, or visit in person to secure a spot, though reservations may not be necessary.

-For a reservation application click here.

-For more information click here.

Pinnacles National Park

Camping:

Pinnacles has one campground which is located on the east side of the park. Please note that there is no road that connects the west side to the east side.

Individual campsites are available 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Group campsites are available 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025
for Individual Sites
12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025
for Group Sites

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Redwoods National Park

Camping:

Reservations for Jedidiah Smith, Mill Creek, and Elk Prairie Campground are accepted for Memorial Day through Labor Day. Call 1 (800) 444-7275 for more information.

-For more information click here.

Yosemite National Park

Camping:

The Pines campgrounds are the only reservable sites located in Yosemite Valley proper. If you are attempting to secure one of these spots good luck! These sites become available 5 months ahead of time on a monthly basis on the 15th. So if you are looking to get campsite on dates between July 15th and August 14th you need to reserve them ON March 15th.

Not only are the dates confusing, but in the summer months these reservations sell within minutes, or even seconds. Reservations become available at 7am PST, you should have your reservations queued up and ready by that time. To increase you chances of success, enlist a few people to try at the same time. After you have a reservation it is yours for 15 minutes, so you have time to complete the payment process or ditch unwanted campsites (if you happen to get them).

If everything books up within the first minute, keep checking! Likely there will be a few openings as people who get duplicated ditch the extras. If 20 minutes has gone by then you can safely assume you won't be getting a reservable campsite for that time period. Here is a link for other options.

Lower Pines, North Pines, and Upper Pines are all located in valley which makes them the highest demand.

Wawona and Crane Flat Campgrounds are 30-40 minutes outside the valley and usually don't fill quite as fast. These campgrounds also provide much less crowding and noise.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located in the high country. This is a lovely spot that provides access to the much less visted high-country of Yosemite.

Bridalveil Creek Group Camp is the only group camp available for reservation, and follows the same protocol.

Current Booking Window:

Something has gone wrong!

-For Lower Pines campground reservations click here.

-For North Pines campground reservations click here.

-For Upper Pines campground reservations click here.

-For Wawona campground reservations click here.

-For Crane Flat campground reservations click here.

-For Tuolumne Meadows campground reservations click here.

-For Bridalveil Creek group camp reservations click here.

-For general camping information click here.

-For reservation tips click here.

Half Dome Cables Permit:

A permit system was created for the Half Dome Cables route due to safety issue with the high volume of traffic they were receiveing. Two lottery systems are used to obtain a permit for the cables.

225 permits are given out per day through the Pre-Season Lottery. This is open March 1st - March 31st for May 24th - October 14th arrival dates.

A Daily Lottery is open two days prior to your arrival date if you don't receive a permit from the Pre-Season Lottery. 50 permits are given out each day.

If you receive a permit you will be notified via email the evening the lottery is over.

To increase you chance of obtaining a permit, try for lower traffic times such as weekdays or shoulder season. Don't try to use the cables without a permit, they are watched by a ranger at the base. You can still do the half dome hike up to the base of the cables themselves without a permit.

Current Booking Window:

Something has gone wrong!

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

-For lottery statistics click here.

Wilderness Permit:

The backcountry is permited by trailhead. A daily lottery is available 168 days prior to your entry date, on a rolling basis.

Faxing (209) 372-0739 in the application is the preferred methods. Though you can also mail in a hard copy, just make sure it doesn't arrive more than 2 week prior to your application dates (or it will be thrown out). You can also call (209) 372-0740 but will not be given as high a priority. If you call, make sure to have all the trip details ready.

All faxed or mailed applications received the first day will be given lottery priority. Applications received after will be processed in the order they are received.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/07/2025

-For more information click here.

-For trailhead information click here.

Colorado

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Camping:

The South Rim Campground is available 6 months prior to your arrival on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Camping:

Pinon Flats Campground has both individual site, available 6 months prior; and group sites, available 12 months prior on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025
for Individual Sites
12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025
for Group Sites

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Mesa Verde National Park

Guided Cliff Dwelling Tour:

Ranger led tour tickets for Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House must be purchased in person, and can be purchased up to two days in advance. The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center has the best selection of tickets available.

The cliff dwellings have a variety of operating times based on the season and location. This Interpretive Programs Schedule provides times for 2015.

Current Booking Window:

04/10/2015 - 10/31/2015

-For more information click here.

Evening Programs:

Cliff Palace Twilight Tour and Cliff Palace Photography Tour tickets can be reserved in advance by calling (877) 444-6777 or online.

These tours run at different times between late May and early September depending on the month.

It is unclear when the online reservations are available so we recommend calling to reserve ahead of time.

Current Booking Window:

05/23/2015 - 09/06/2015

-For reservations click here.

-Click here for more information on evening tours.

Backcountry Hikes:

Guided backcountry hikes allow you to learn more about Mesa Verde at more remote locations.

Online reservations are made available at some point in the spring, or you can call (877) 444-6777 to reserve over the phone.

Current Booking Window:

05/23/2015 - 10/03/2015

-For reservations click here.

-Click here for more information on backcountry hikes.

Camping:

Camping is available at Morefield Campground just inside the parks boundaries. This campground rarely fills and is first-come first-served.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Camping:

Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, and Moraine Park campgrounds have individual sites available 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Aspenglen reservations click here.

-For Glacier Basin reservations click here.

-For Moraine Park reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Group Camping:

Glacier Basin, and Moraine Park Group Camps are available 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Glacier Basin reservations click here.

-For Moraine Park reservations click here.

Florida

Biscayne National Park

Group Camping:

Elliot Key Group Campground can be reserved by calling (305) 230-1144 x052. First-Call First Served on a rolling basis.

-For more information click here.

Guided Canoe & Kayak Trips:

Guided Kayak and Canoe trips are available for reservation 7 days prior to the date, on a rolling basis. These trips are only available through the end of April, and during the winter months.

Call (786) 335-3612 to reserve your spot.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/27/2024

-For more information click here.

Dry Tortugas National Park

No Reservations

Everglades National Park

Camping:

Flamingo Campground has individual site available 6 months out on a rolling basis.

Site are reservable November 20th - April 15th.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 04/15/16

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Group Camping:

Flamingo and Long Pine Key have group sites available 12 month out on a rolling basis. Reservations are not required (or available) between April 15th and November 20th.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 04/15/16

-For Flamingo reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Hawaii

Haleakala National Park

Wilderness Cabins:

These cabins can be reached by hiking in; 3.7 miles for Holua, 5.5 miles for Kapalaoa, and 9.3 miles to Paliku.

Only 3 nights can be reserved per 30 day period, with only 2 night consecutively spend in the same cabin.

Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777; 6 months out on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

No Reservations

Idaho

Yellowstone National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available at Bridge Bay, Canyon, Grant Village, and Madison Campgrounds are available through Xanterra.

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Backcountry Reservations:

Backcountry reservations are available via lottery from January 1st - March 31st. Applications received after March 31st will be processed in the order they are received.

To submit an application download and complete this guide. Then mail or fax your application in.

Check out this trip planning guide for good suggestions.

Upcoming Booking Window:

Lottery opens January 1st

-For more information click here.

Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park

Camping:

Individual campsite are available at Mammoth Cave Campground 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Mammoth Cave Campground reservations click here.

-For more Mammoth Cave Campground information click here.

Group Camping:

Group campsites are available at Maple Springs Group Camp 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Maple Springs reservations click here.

-For more Maple Springs information click here.

Cave Tours:

Various cave tours can be schedule generally 4 months out from your arrival date. Schedule is based on season release so this is just a rough estimate.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 04/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Maine

Acadia National Park

Camping:

Individual campsite sites are available at Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Blackwoods reservations click here.

-For Seawall reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

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Michigan

Isle Royale National park

Boat Shuttle:

The Ranger III provides shuttle service to and from Isle Royale from May 27th - September 13th.

Reservations are made by filling out this form, and either mailing, emailing, or faxing it to the office.

For complete instructions click here.

Current Booking Window:

05/27/14 - 09/13/14

-For more information click here.

Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park

Camping:

Voyageurs National Park implemented a new reservation system in the summer of 2014. The NPS.gov site is very good at explaining the process of reserving a site. Here is a brief summary:

There is a total of 270 small campsites, large campsites, group campsites, and backcountry sites available throughout the park. The booking season is broken down into low use (September 16 - May 14) and high use (May 15th - September 15th) periods.

All campsites require a reservation during High Use season.

You can make a reservation online at recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.

While making the reservation you must decide on which lake, dates, and campsite type you wish to reserve. You cannot change these choices after the reservation has been made.

On September 16th, the next year's reservations will become available.

You cannot reserve a site during low use season.

Current Booking Window:

05/15/2016 - 09/15/2016

-For campsite reservations click here.

-For complete information visit the NPS.gov site here.

Park Boat Tours:

2 - 5 hour boat tours are available on Kabetogama and Rainy lakes and can be reserved online 3 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis. Reservations can also be made via telephone at (877) 444-6777.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 03/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Montana

Glacier National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available 6 months prior to your arrive, on a rolling basis, at St. Mary's, and Fish Creek campgrounds.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For St. Mary's campground reservations click here.

-For Fish Creek campground reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Group Camping:

Group camping is available at Apgar Group Camp, reservations can be made 12 months prior to your arrival date, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Apgar group camp reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Backcountry Camping Permits:

Permits of backcountry camping are available via lottery. You can submit your application between January 1st and April 15th, applications after the 15th will be processed in the order they are received.

Fill out the lotter application and mail/fax it in to be added into the pool.

Current Booking Window:

Lottery will open January 1st

-For more information click here.

Yellowstone National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available at Bridge Bay, Canyon, Grant Village, and Madison Campgrounds are available through Xanterra.

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Backcountry Reservations:

Backcountry reservations are available via lottery from January 1st - March 31st. Applications received after March 31st will be processed in the order they are received.

To submit an application download and complete this guide. Then mail or fax your application in.

Check out this trip planning guide for good suggestions.

Upcoming Booking Window:

Lottery opens January 1st

-For more information click here.

Nevada

Death Valley National Park

Camping:

Reservations are accepted 6 months prior to your arrival for Furnace Creek Campground on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Scotty's Castle Tours:

Build in the 1920's, the Death Valley Ranch, commonly known as Scotty's Castle is a historic and mysterious house. Three tours are available on a seemingly random schedule: House Tour, Lower Vine Ranch Hike, and Underground Tour.

Reservations can be made via Recreation.gov or over the phone at (877) 444-6777.

Current Booking Window:

We're Not Sure!

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Great Basin National Park

Group Camping:

Grey Cliffs group camp is available during the summer months for reservations. Call (755) 234-7517 for more details and to secure your site.

Reservations can be made starting in January of the same year.

Current Booking Window:

Memorial - Labor Day
Starting January 1st

-For more information click here.

Lehman Caves Tours:

Reservations are available for Lehman Cave Tours 30 days prior to your arrival date, on a rolling basis. Call (775) 234-7517 to reserve a spot.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 01/20/2025

-For more information click here.

New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Cave Tours:

Cave tours are available 6 months prior to your arrival date, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis; at Cades Cove, Cataloochee (required), Cosby, Elkmont, and Smokemont Campgrounds.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Cades Cove Campground reservations click here.

-For Cataloochee Campground reservations click here.

-For Cosby Campground reservations click here.

-For Elkmont Campground reservations click here.

-For Smokemont Campground reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Group Camping:

Group campsites are available 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis; at Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont Campgrounds.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Big Creek Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Cades Cove Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Cataloochee Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Cosby Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Deep Creek Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Elkmont Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Smokemont Group Camp reservations click here.

-For more information click here

North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

No Reservations

Ohio

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

No Reservations

Oregon

Crater Lake National Park

Camping:

Individual sites at the Mazama Campground can be booked roughly 12 months in advance through Xanterra. Call (888) 774-2728, or reserve online.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis; at Cades Cove, Cataloochee (required), Cosby, Elkmont, and Smokemont Campgrounds.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Cades Cove Campground reservations click here.

-For Cataloochee Campground reservations click here.

-For Cosby Campground reservations click here.

-For Elkmont Campground reservations click here.

-For Smokemont Campground reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Group Camping:

Group campsites are available 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis; at Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont Campgrounds.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Big Creek Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Cades Cove Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Cataloochee Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Cosby Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Deep Creek Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Elkmont Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Smokemont Group Camp reservations click here.

-For more information click here

South Carolina

Congaree National Park

Free Guided Canoe Tours:

Congaree offers occasional free guided canoe tours. Check their event planner or call (803) 647-3980 for more details.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 03/20/2025
- Roughly

-For more information click here.

South Dakota

Badlands National Park

No Reservations

Wind Cave National Park

Cave Tours:

Most cave tours at Wind Cave are first-come first served and don't usually fill up to capacity. The Historic Candlelight Cave Tour, and Wild Cave Tour the exceptions.

You can call (605) 745-4600 up to 30 days ahead of your arrival to schedule these tours.

If you are bringing a large group on any tour it's a good idea to also reserve your spots ahead of time.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 01/20/2025

-For more information click here.

Texas

Big Bend National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis; at Rio Grande and Chisos Basin Campgrounds.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Rio Grande Campground reservations click here.

-For Chisos Basin Campground reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Group Camping:

Group campsites are available 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis; at Rio Grande, Chisos Basin, and Cottonwood Campgrounds.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Cottonwood Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Rio Grande Group Camp reservations click here.

-For Chisos Basin Group Camp reservations click here.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Camping:

Group campsites are available 60 days prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis, at Pine Springs and Dog Canyon group campgrounds.

Call (915) 828-3251 x2124 to reserve your spot.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 02/19/2025

-For more information click here.

Utah

Arches National Park

Camping:

Individual sites are available at Devils Garden Campground 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Devils Garden campground reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Group Camping:

Group campsites are available either at Devils Garden Campground 12 month prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis; or at Canyon Wren and Juniper Basin Campgrounds 12 months prior, reservable by calling (877) 444-6777.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Devils Garden campground reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Fiery Furnace Guided Hike:

Permits are required for all entry to the Fiery Furnace. Guided tours can be reserved roughly 5 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Self-guided permits are available via the visitors center, no reservations necessary. It is recommended to go with a tour, the Fiery Furnace can be very challenging to navigate and visitors frequently get lost.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 05/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available at both North and Sunset campgrounds 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For North Campground reservations click here.

-For Sunset Campground reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Canyonlands National Park

Backcountry Permits:

All backcountry permits, including: river running, backpacking, biking, etc... Anything for spending a night in the backcountry, are available 4 months prior to your arrival on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 04/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Capitol Reef National Park

No Reservations

Zion National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available at Watchman Campground 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Group site are also available at Watchman Campground, 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Backpacking Permits:

Backpacking permits are available 3 months prior to your arrival, on the 5th of the month. So, for example, March trips can be reserved starting January 5th.

These permits are required for overnight stays in the Zion backcountry, along with overnight stays in the Narrows.

Click here for a list of reservable backcountry sites.

Current Booking Window:

Something has gone wrong!

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Canyoneering Permits & Lottery:

Permits for Mystery Canyon and The Subway are alloted via a lottery system. The lottery request must be submitted 3 months prior to your intended canyoneering date. If you receive a permit you will be notified on the 5th of the following month via email. More lottery information is available here. The lottery does not run between the months of November and March due to lower demands.

General canyoneering permits are available to reserve starting the 5th of the month, three months prior to your arrival. Same as Backpacking permits. To descend the Narrows in a day you will also need one of these permits.

If you miss advanced reservations or the lottery there is still a chance you might be able to secure a Last Minute Drawing Permit. This is a small scale lottery to distribute any left over permits, and must be submitted 2-7 days prior to your intended date.

Current Booking Window:

Something has gone wrong!

-To apply for the advanced lottery for Mystery Canyon and the Subway click here.

-To reserve canyoneering permits click here.

-To reserve a Last Minute Drawing Permit click here.

Virginia

Shenandoah National Park

Camping:

Individual sites are available 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis. Group sites are available 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Shenandoah has three reservable campgrounds each has both individual and group site options. They are, Big Meadow, Loft Mountain, and Mathews Arm.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025
for individual sites
12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025
for group sites

-For Big Meadow campground reservations click here.

-For Loft Mountain campground reservations click here.

-For Mathews Arm campground reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Washington

Mount Rainier National Park

Camping:

Individual site area available at Cougar Rock, and Ohanapecosh Rock campgrounds 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Cougar Rock individual campsite reservations click here.

-For Ohanapecosh Rock individual campsite reservations click here.

-For general campground information click here.

Group Camping:

Group campsites are available at Cougar Rock, and Ohanapecosh Rock campgrounds 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Cougar Rock group camp reservations click here.

-For Ohanapecosh Rock group camp reservations click here.

Wilderness Permits:

Wilderness permits at Mount Rainier are in high demand, so plan far in advance.

Most permits are received via a lottery that happens on April 1st. The open period to submit your lottery request is March 15 - April 1st. All permits received by April 1st will be treated equally, permits received after the 1st will be processed in the order received.

To apply for the lottery download this form. Mail, fax or drop off at the Longmire Ranger Station by April 1st. It will take several weeks to process each permit request. As the season gets later permits will be processed faster due to lower demands.

Upcoming Booking Window:

Lottery opens March 15th

-For more information click here.

Climbing Pass:

A climbing pass is required for any visit over 10,000 feet (with the exception of Camp Muir). No reservations are required unless you are also spending a night in the backcountry (see Wilderness Permits).

-For more information click here.

North Cascades National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available at Newhalem Creek Campground 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Newhalem Creek campground reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Group Camping:

Group campsites are available at Newhalem Creek, Lower Goodell, and Upper Goodell Group Campgrounds 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For Lower Goodell group camp reservations click here.

-For Upper Goodell group camp reservations click here.

Olympic National Park

Camping:

Individual Campsites are available at Kalaloch Campground 6 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 06/20/2025

-For Kalaloch individual campsite reservations click here.

Group Camping:

Group sites are available at Kalaloch and Sol Duc Group Camps 12 months prior to your arrival, on a rolling basis. Reservations are made by calling (360) 962-2271 - for Kalaloch, or (360) 565-2955 - for Sol Duc.

Current Booking Window:

12/21/2024 - 12/20/2025

-For more group camp information click here.

Wilderness Reservations:

Reservations open on March 15th for the May 1st through September 30th season. Reservations are only needed for campsites in the "red zones." Check out the zone map here.

Send if your reservation request by first downloading this form. Then mail or fax the application in. Applications received before March 15th will not be processed!

Upcoming Booking Window:

Reservations open March 15th

-For more information click here.

Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park

Backcountry Reservations:

One-third of backcountry campsite are reservable ahead of time. The reservation window opens January 8th and ends May 15th for camping May 31st - September 30th.

Reservations are assigned by camping zones.

Climbers only need a permit if they are staying overnight.

Upcoming Booking Window:

05/31/15 - 09/30/15
reservations open January 8th

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Campground Reservations:

The campgrounds at Grand Teton all operate as first-come, first-served.

-For more campground information visit the NPS page.

Group Site Reservations:

Group sites are available at Colter Bay and Gros Ventre campgrounds. Site capacity ranges from 10 - 100 people. Reservations are made through the Grand Teton Lodge Company by calling (800) 628-9988.

-More information available on the Grand Teton Lodge Company website.

Yellowstone National Park

Camping:

Individual campsites are available at Bridge Bay, Canyon, Grant Village, and Madison Campgrounds are available through Xanterra.

-For reservations click here.

-For more information click here.

Backcountry Reservations:

Backcountry reservations are available via lottery from January 1st - March 31st. Applications received after March 31st will be processed in the order they are received.

To submit an application download and complete this guide. Then mail or fax your application in.

Check out this trip planning guide for good suggestions.

Upcoming Booking Window:

Lottery opens January 1st

-For more information click here.

U.S. Territories

American Samoa National Park

No Reservations

Virgin Islands National Park

No Reservations

The Beta:

-Recreation.gov is the home to most National Park permits and reservations.

-Cover image by Mark Wagner (Own work) [CC BY 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

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